AAWR has been very busy lately and I wanted to take this opportunity as the summer comes to a close to give you an update on what we’ve been up to!

We had a great presence at the ACR Annual Meeting in May with several activities happening during the entire event. The Women’s Caucus, moderated by Barbara Pawley, MD, was an outstanding examination of how part-time work affects women radiologists’ careers. I encourage you to read the included article by Shannon Kim, MD and Kimberly Beavers, MD on the results from the caucus and some staggering statistics dealing with the part-time issue.

Special thanks to Barbara Pawley, MD for her engagement and time as chair of one of the Reference Committees. I had the opportunity to participate as a member of another Reference Committee and found it to be a very rewarding volunteer effort and worthwhile contribution to ACR.

This year’s Muffins & Coffee was very popular due to the fact that we had inspiring and well respected Geraldine McGinty, MD, FACR, MBA speak on “Choosing Wisely: Mentors, Sponsors, and Your Kitchen Cabinet." You can read a recap along with the highlights from this session further in the newsletter.

Finally, the ever popular and dynamic speed mentoring session proved to be very successful. Using a model employed by the AAWR, members of the ACR Young Professional Section (YPS) and AAWR organized a larger scale mentoring session. Radiology Leadership Institute(RLI) supported the event, with over a hundred mentees in attendance. The various topics provided by 20 radiology leaders included tips on radiology advocacy, leadership, mentoring, work-life balance, interviewing skills, grant writing, conflict resolution and grant writing. This was likely one of the most beneficial sessions, supported by a very positive post- meeting survey, and therefore will take place again next year. Very special thanks to Amy Patel, MD and Kristina Hoque, MS, MD, PhD, DABNM for being the absolute best organizers of this very outstanding event!

Also in May, AAWR hosted breakfast at the SPR 2017 meeting with their Gold Medal recipient M. Ines Boechat, MD, FACR, with discussion on work-life balance. Co-host Dorothy Bulas, MD summed up the session nicely when she explained, “A chance to meet and talk about how others deal with similar issues is always powerful!”

Moving to a more recent event, I participated in the Intersociety Society Conference (ISC) held by the ACR in early August. The theme was “Diversity, Inclusion and Unconscious Bias” and it proved to be a very timely and passionate topic. Brenda J. Allen, PhD served as the fantastic keynote speaker and the weekend prompted some lively discussion and brainstorming on how best to tackle these issues both by radiological societies and academic departments. It was wonderful to see other AAWR members there, sharing their experiences and expertise on this subject.

Looking forward, the fall will see AAWR continuing to be busy as we hold an educational session and breakfast reception at ASTRO’s September meeting in San Diego. Guest speaker Ni-Cheng Liang, current Executive Director at the UCSD Center for Mindfulness will discuss the topic of mindfulness during the Monday session. Earlier that morning, we invite attendees to join us at a Mimosa Meet ‘n Greet with AAWR to be held at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel at 6:00 am.

AAWR’s biggest meeting at RSNA will round out the rest of this year nicely as we have some great activities planned! The 3rd Annual AAWR R&E Foundation Celebration Dinner will be held on Sunday, November 26th at the Signature Room. Limited space is available so be sure to buy your tickets during the registration process for AAWR’s RSNA. Starting Monday, we will also have our Annual Business meeting and Tuesday’s Presidential Luncheon will feature the dynamic Lisa Kachnic, MD, FASTRO speaking on “Gender Bias in Academia: Secret Confessions of a ‘Mature’ Female Department Chair.” Our last day at RSNA on Wednesday is jam-packed beginning with our 8:30 am educational session, “Unconscious Bias in Recruiting Radiologists,” which I will be moderating. Come hear M. Elizabeth Oates, MD , Madelene C. Lewis, MD, and Katarzyna J. Macura, MD, PhD give advice and impart their knowledge. After the session, we will be hosting the always popular Speed Mentoring event followed by the AAWR Higginbotham Resident Lunch featuring our very own Susan Ackerman, MD.

AAWR continues to gain more and more positive attention for its wonderful work efforts. Thank you for all your hard work, and for engaging, motivating and inspiring many younger females, who will be the bright future of our organization.
I hope you will enjoy the last few days of the summer

Best,
Margaret Szabunio, MD, FACR
2017 AAWR President

Dear AAWR Members,

The AAWR sponsored events at the ACR 2017 meeting in Washington DC, May 21-15, were a resounding success. If you weren’t able to attend or if you need a refresher of what was covered, please enjoy the write ups of these events provided by members of the Meeting and Newsletter Subcommittees of the AAWR. These recaps are terrific and I appreciate the wealth of great advice they contain.

In the spirit of self-improvement and early career guidance, I have chosen to highlight in the current newsletter two excellent articles recently featured in JACR: Personal Branding: A Primer for Radiology Trainees and Radiologists and In Hindsight: What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Junior Faculty Member. I hope that you find these articles as helpful and motivating as I do.

I am looking forward to more inspiration, advice and mentorship at the AAWR events at the 2017 Annual RSNA meeting in Chicago, November 26-December 1. In particular, I look forward to seeing everyone at the AAWR R&E Foundation Celebration Dinner on Sunday, November 26 and at the AAWR Presidential Luncheon on Tuesday, November 28, during which the first induction of AAWR Fellows is planned.

Once again, many thanks to those who have contributed to the current Focus Newsletter and please contact me if you would like to contribute to the Fall edition.

Respectfully,

Kristin Kelly Porter, MD, PhD
AAWR Secretary

AAWR Muffins and Coffee at ACR 2017Michelle Dorsey, MD

The AAWR sponsored muffins and coffee event kicked off with Dr. Geraldine McGinty speaking on “Mentors, Sponsors and the Kitchen Cabinet.” The event, which was also held as a Facebook live event, was held with a capacity crowd. Dr. McGinty began by defining mentors as someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and sometimes younger person while a sponsor is someone who assumes responsibility for another, gives them opportunities and gets you into a new room. Finding either starts with your network which should be diversified.

It is important to purposefully grow and maintain your network, Dr. McGinty stressed. This can be uncomfortable when you don’t know someone, but don’t be afraid to go up and introduce yourself. For starters, it is always easy to ask someone to talk about themselves. Also, it is important to be organized, get a business card and send a follow up email. You should network within your own organization, and build relationships deliberately, outside of routine meetings. Make the extra effort to get to know people.

Dr. McGinty shared her personal experience with mentoring and sponsoring. Her initial experience in Ireland and England was very hierarchical and did not afford many opportunities. But when she was a resident in Pittsburgh, she was sponsored during her 2nd year of residency for research. Later she was given an opportunity to build a breast center and was sponsored to do her MBA. Her way to give back after completing her MBA was to volunteer for Economics with the ACR. At the ACR she met additional mentors which also included younger people. Cornell has given her new opportunities, often for jobs which were not advertised, but for which she was considered by the power of her network. She currently organizes a program that matches residents and medical students with mentors while early in their journey. She also started a new MBA/MS in Health Care Leadership and continues to meet new people from whom she can learn and be inspired. Dr. McGinty emphasized that there shouldn’t only be 1 or 2 inspirational figures in your career, instead you should always be meeting new people. She also noted it was important to take advice from the greats, in her case wearing a white coat or a suit in a professional picture.

In order to be a good mentee, you should show up on time, keep in touch with your mentor, be respectful, know what’s going on in your mentor’s life, send congratulations when appropriate, and always remember to say thank you. In more formal mentor agreements, it is desirable to have a regular appointment and check in. In bidirectional mentoring, Dr. McGinty is able to get the viewpoints of her residents and fellows, while having ongoing conversations. She quoted Madeleine Albright in that “there’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help each other.” She also reminds that “mean girls” aren’t just girls, they can be men too, so be on the lookout for toxic work relationships with either gender.

There are some common pitfalls to avoid in a mentoring relationship. It is important to remember that mentors are not friends. It is a professional relationship and should be maintained that way. It is good to “date” before you pick a mentor, in order to find the right one. If the relationship is not a good fit, you should be willing to move on. You don’t have to listen to inappropriate remarks but you also shouldn’t get stuck on irrelevant differences like political views. Instead, focus on what you have in common. If the mentor opportunity is not a good fit, you should express gratitude to the person when you decline, and also give them extra attention going forward so that you don’t end up losing the relationship. You do not want to close doors as you never know when you may be able to leverage a situation into a better opportunity.

As for the kitchen cabinet, Dr McGinty warns to look out for executive amplitude-people constantly telling you that you are great. You will need someone who can call you out on your BS. You also need people who will help you cut yourself some slack and give yourself a break. It is important to seek diverse opinions, particularly from people who don’t agree with you. In the Imaging 3.0 campaign she had to overcome significant skepticism about the ability of the profession to change, along with anxiety over reimbursement cuts. In this case, having a clear sense of the direction about where you are going was key. It is important to poll diverse opinions but also to push forward if you feel you have the correct path mapped out.

A lively Q&A session followed, which included these highlights:

· It is important to be visible, in order to have a sponsor notice you and advocate for you; frequently women do not ask questions. Plan to go into every meeting with at least one question. Then be purposeful about seeking people out.

·Network at your state chapter level where women are not frequently involved.

·You can introduce mentees to new people. You don’t have to mentor everyone individually, it’s ok to pass them along.

·Women may feel like impostors; like they don’t have anything to offer. It is important to get over this feeling, get out there and be involved.

·The first black woman president of Harvard Law Review, ImeIme Umana, noted that “It’s not success if it’s just you.” You aren’t really successful if you don’t bring next women up behind you.

·The concept of pivoting was discussed and that frequently your career is not going to go in a straight line. Consider what is your personal brand-what do you want to be known for-before you agree to take on new projects.

·As Sheryl Sandberg quoted, “Option A is not available. So let’s just kick the s-- out of option B.” If/when things are not working out, you must keep moving-building your network and looking for new opportunities. Many job offers come through your network. Your network can bring you back.

·Being a mentor for people who don’t have a clear vision for the future is exciting, as you can help them see what they need, and help change someone’s trajectory. You can open a door for them and see what develops.

·It is important to empower yourself, think “why not me?” instead of “why me?” Remember the people who asked you to do the project thought that you could do it. No one can do it all on day one.

· Developing personal and professional mission statements can be helpful to shape your brand, and focus on what’s important to you. This will help you to be purposeful on projects you select and help to frame your work.

· It is sometimes helpful to share that you’ve been at a low point previously, as it helps to relate to your mentee. It is important to emphasize that the low is not permanent and you can come back if you start thinking of a goal or somewhere positive you’d like to be. Focus your intent.

· Use social media to connect beyond your immediate world.

· Try to achieve work life integration per Dr Cheri Canon. You have to interweave the two, both family and work, not just balance them.

· Keep in mind as Sophia Amoruso reminds, “Don’t compare your hustle to their highlight reel.” Don’t get distracted by what others are doing. Stay focused.

AAWR Women’s Caucus Shannon Kim and Kimberly Beavers

During this year’s AAWR Women’s Caucus at the 2017 ACR meeting, the main topic of discussion was part-time work. Dr. Barbara Pawley moderated the discussion, which highlighted the results of previous survey studies focusing on the percentage of the radiologic workforce working part-time:

· In 2015 and again in 2017, the radiologic workforce was 21% female.

· Overall, 12% of radiologists work part time, of which 10% were male and 24% were female.

· In 2001, part-time radiologists in the 35-44 year old age category were comprised of 31% female and <1% male.

· The average age of the female part-time radiologist was 45 years old, as opposed to 60 years old for males. This was felt to be related to quality of life related to family care for females and preparation for retirement for males.

Some of the proposed barriers to working part-time included fear of negative perception as well as of lower rates of promotion, less effective mentoring, and fewer opportunities for research. One of the proposed solutions to increase female promotion is effective mentoring and fostering support for part-time work. According to the article “Why Working Part Time May Not be a Good Idea” by Heidi Moawad, MD in the December 2016 issue of Physician’s Money Digest, “the professional implications of working part-time are almost always negative…you will be viewed as less dedicated than your full-time colleagues…they are unlikely to offer other opportunities to you…and you will not have the same chances to build a strong level of networking.”

Proposed advantages for both part-time radiologists and their employers included the ability to fill scheduling gaps, flexibility, increased quality of life related to family, and an offset to battle burn out; all of which are beneficial to both males and females.

During the subsequent open floor discussion, the first comments included the need for a universal definition of the word part-time. There are currently varying definitions, including ≤40 hr/week, <1.0 or 0.8 FTE, and <100% clinical duties. Also with the negative connotation associated with the word part-time, many felt that a rebranding of the word as a need for flexibility was in order, with a need for an eventual cultural shift.

Discussed solutions included the utilization of transparent part-time committees that are open for anyone in a practice who is interested in working part-time to meet with, options for increased paid time off (PTO) with known reduction in salary, and the concept of job sharing. Job sharing has the potential to be a highly marketable solution as two part-time radiologists can combine work efforts to provide the coverage a single full-time radiologist in a practice every day of the year without any gaps in coverage.

In conclusion of the Women’s Caucus, members of the AAWR congratulated new ACR fellows. From 2001-2015, there has been an increase in female fellows inducted into the ACR. In 2015, 11% of female radiologists were ACR fellows, as compared to 10% of radiologists overall. What an achievement!

Speed Mentoring at ACR 2017
Kimberly Beavers

The ACR 2017 Speed Mentoring session developed in conjunction with AAWR (American Association for Women Radiologists) and RLI (Radiology Leadership Institute) was a dynamic session filled with meaningful advice for long-term career success.

The speed mentoring topics included a diverse number of issues including work-life balance, leadership, mentoring, job interview tips, writing grants, contract negotiation, and conflict resolution. We were fortunate to have twenty expert mentors with extensive experience at their fingertips to share with residents and fellows.

For example, Dr. Jim Rawson, MD, FACR led a discussion on becoming a good mentor. He highlighted the importance of defining mentoring relationships and expectations as well as building an arsenal of both mentors and sponsors. A variety of mentors is invaluable in order to build a culture of many mentors for many different aspects of career. He also astutely pointed out that a sponsor is a person who markets for you and your specific skillset.

Dr. Frank Lexa, MD, MBA gave specific and useful job interview advice. Topics discussed included timeline for follow up with job prospects and the importance of developing a “hook” when reaching out to employers. Specifically, he emphasized the importance of having a reason that the individual applying has a unique reason that they will be an asset to the group. He also pointed out that it is important to update any new accomplishments or conference attendance in the interim after an interview. This also serves as an opportunity to show a potential employer continued interest.

Dr. Richard Duszak, Jr., MD, FACR mentored residents and fellows on becoming involved in radiology advocacy. Dr. Duszak shared his own story of developing relationships with congressmen in order to be the physician “go-to” when members of congress have a question regarding upcoming legislation. He also discussed the importance of a continuous time commitment to interacting with members of congress and staying engaged. Finally, he recommended contacting local state medical and radiological societies to stay involved on a local level, where congressmen are more accessible.

Dr. Jonathan Flug, MD, MBA discussed taking the professional leap from trainee to attending. His advice? Start looking for professionalism in others now. Find mentors who you want to emulate as well as those that you do not want to emulate. He stated that this is invaluable when developing who you would like to be as an attending. Once an attending, Dr. Flug recommended focused on proving your clinical skills first, then tackling “extracurricular” projects such as research and advocacy. Once a foundation of clinical trustworthiness and competence is established, it is then appropriate to pursue other projects within the practice.

Dr. James Brink, MD, FACR discussed how to get promoted. The two pillars of promotion are scholarship and reputation. He recommended doing a couple of major teaching conferences per year, every year, and to write an article based on that lecture. While attending two conferences and writing two papers a year may seem small to some academics, the consistency of continuing to produce meaningful work is the key to promotion. Sustained scholarship, Dr. Brink emphasized, is reflected better than many projects over a short period of time. Regarding reputation, Dr. Brink recommended volunteering on organizations and committees that interest you, as well as considering joining a manuscript review board. Not only does this build relationships with peers, it also helps you to improve your own writing for future publications.

Dr. Carolyn Meltzer, MD, FACR led a discussion on avoiding burnout. Dr. Meltzer explained that there are several facets of avoiding burnout including self-reflection, personal resiliency, and defining your value to your practice. For example, if a physician does a significant amount of resident teaching or academic work for a practice, it is important to show this value rather than judging productivity solely on RVU. Dr. Meltzer also discussed the importance of clinician education about and implementation of the ACR Appropriateness Criteria in order to ensure productive work and minimize unnecessary studies.

Those who attended the Speed Mentoring Event learned tangible tips to improve their professional careers from twenty expert Radiologists. These are only a few examples of the excellent discussions that occurred during this session. In closing, this event served as one of the most valuable sessions of the ACR 2017 meeting, filled with high yield advice provided by the most respected experts in our field.

Tips They Didn’t Teach you in Residency

ACR 2017 Annual meeting

Jean Kunjummen, MD

Speakers:

Susan Ackerman MD, Maria Kelly MD, Julia Fielding MD.

This session was divided into three topics.

(A) Dr. Susan Ackerman discussed successful ways to manage an interview. She gave insights into what interviewers are looking for in a candidate and how prospective candidates can conduct themselves during an interview.

(i) Be prepared with answers to commonly asked questions, such as:

· What are your mistakes and lessons learned from that mistake? Be honest but have a positive spin on responses.

· Why are you the best candidate? Be prepared to have 2-3-minute snapshot of the reasons that set you apart from other candidates.

· Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

· What’s your biggest weakness and your greatest strength-- ex: I sometimes get sidetracked by small details. Also, it should be a work-related strength, ex: I’m a problem solver.

· What challenges are you looking for?

· Have you had a conflict with someone and how did you react to a conflict?

(ii) Be prepared with appropriate questions to ask during an interview. Examples include:

· What is the case mix?

· Turnover rate of physicians

· Dislike and like about the practice

· Opportunities for promotion

(iii) Body language is very important. Smile and maintain eye contact. Be passionate.

Delivery can be more important than answer. Tone of voice is also crucial. Practice in front of mirror and do mock interview.

(iv) Logistic planning:

· Always get a good night’s sleep

· If out of town, don’t leave on the last flight out on the evening prior

· Dress for success

· Don't text, silence your phone

· Be polite to the assistant as well

(v) Don't bring up salary as an interviewee on the first meeting

(vi) End of the interview-summarize the reasons that you are qualified for this job including examples of your success and state that you are looking forward to

hearing from them.

(vii) Write thank you letter or email and stay in contact with the practice

(viii) Lastly, it is important to realize that the final decision is made in about the first

4 minutes of the interview.

(B) Dr. Maria Kelly discussed negotiation

(i) In general, Women do not initiate negotiation. They don't ask for a better salary nor ask for recognition for their hard work, ideas and contributions. These factors result in major inequalities between men and women in compensation (which translate into over a million dollars), career advancement and happiness issues.

(ii) Men initiate negotiations to advance their career 4 times more frequently

than women

(iii) Women have a misconception about their professional value. They think that “life happens to them”. This also stems from signals sent by parents and society.

(iv) Always recognize your own hangs up. Are you reluctant to initiate negotiation? You need to do research before you negotiate using Websites, asking peers of both genders with similar experience and roles. She also discussed about BATNA- best alternative to a negotiated agreement -It's about what you are worth. Always do extensive research on what you are worth. It is important to research “the other side” as well. If you never heard “NO” on a negotiation, then you're not asking enough. One of the Tips is to start negotiating 30 percent more so you can have at least 25 percent.

(i) Everyone resists change and your goal as a leader is to assess readiness for change in your colleagues.

(ii) Ensure credibility. You have to be a trustworthy person.

(iii) Strengthen commitment to outcomes. Set up a quiet conversation with no

yelling.

(iv) Start with a cup of coffee in a neutral territory, bring up topic of discussion, and give your perspective on problem.

(v) Listen and always ask the colleague’s perspective and paraphrase what you

heard, reflect it back.

(vi) Brainstorm and identify possible solutions acceptable to both parties. Is the answer viable, doable and durable? Always give feedback.

International Day of Radiology 2017 Recognizes Emergency Radiology and Countless Innovations in Radiology Research

Reston, Va. (Nov. 6, 2017) — On Wednesday, Nov. 8, the American College of Radiology (ACR), the European Society of Radiology (ESR) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) will join more than 140 radiology-related professional societies from around the globe in celebrating the sixth annual International Day of Radiology (IDoR).IDoR 2017 will focus on emergency radiology and the essential role that radiologists play in the emergency room, increasing the quality of care and treatment of patients.

IDoR also recognizes the many innovations in radiology research that have revolutionized modern medicine, produced great technological leaps, enabled more effective and efficient care and saved countless lives. .

Radiology professionals are working together to inform patients about the valuable role medical imaging plays in patient care. ACR and RSNA jointly sponsor RadiologyInfo.org, an important resource that explains medical imaging tests and treatments in detailed, easy-to-understand language, helping patients to understand and prepare for imaging procedures.

About the American College of RadiologyThe American College of Radiology (ACR), founded in 1964, is one of the largest and most influential medical associations in the United States. The ACR devotes its resources to making imaging and radiation therapy safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. Its 36,000 members include radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians.

About the European Society of Radiology

The European Society of Radiology is an apolitical, non-profit organization, dedicated to promoting and coordinating the scientific, philanthropic, intellectual and professional activities of Radiology in all European countries. The Society's mission at all times is to serve the healthcare needs of the general public through the support of science, teaching and research and the quality of service in the field of radiology.

About the Radiological Society of North America

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) is an association of more than 54,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists, promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. (RSNA.org)

We hope you will join us for the 3rd AAWR Book Club. This dialogue will engage members of all stages in their career as we exchange views on and experiences with impostor syndrome and how to conquer it.

We look forward to your participation in what will surely be a wonderful book club event!

Join us for the annual AAWR/ASTRO Luncheon to network and learn with your female colleagues in radiation oncology. This year’s theme will focus on mindfulness and the self-care of doctors with special guest speaker, Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang, Executive Director of the UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. Be sure to register for this ticketed event now so you don’t miss out on an exciting luncheon!Register now!

Due to a generous donation by the Higginbotham family in honor of Edith A. Higginbotham, MD, MS, residents can attend for free! However, you must still pre-register for the lunch during the AAAWR/RSNA registration process. To learn more about Dr. Higginbotham’s extraordinary life and read her family’s tribute, please go here

In Hindsight: What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Junior Faculty Member:Reprinted from JACR with the author's permission

Whether it is your first job after training or a career change, the first year of being an assistant professor in an academic radiology department can be a challenging and eye-opening time. However, there are many ways to lay the groundwork for a smooth transition. Looking back on my first year as junior faculty, I’ve compiled some thoughts to aid in the transition.

Personal Branding: A Primer for Radiology Trainees and Radiologists:Reprinted from the JACR with Permissions from the authors

A radiologist’s personal brand is a composite of many parts in one’s professional life. In an age where work quality and digital footprints are tracked and measured more than ever before, it behooves radiologists to develop and curate their own individual brands in effective ways. Personal branding consists of the decisions we make, both consciously and unconsciously, which affect our reputation and the likelihood of seeking our services in the future for both patients and referring providers. As hospital systems are increasingly adjusting their systems to cater to better patient experiences, it is imperative that radiologists similarly adjust our practice patterns to accommodate the needs of the new paradigm of value-based care. It is no longer sufficient to only practice excellent clinical radiology; one’s service experience to clinical providers, report quality, and digital presence must all be robust and compelling. Defining your brand and promoting your vision and quality standards have become as important to radiologists’ future as keeping up with advancements in radiologic technology. One must select the proper platforms and types of interactions in which to engage from available social media options. Developing a consistent brand and presence in the work setting, on social media accounts, and in professional organizations at the local, national, and international levels is the ultimate goal. At present, very little, if any, formal training is provided on personal branding skills such as these in current residency curricula, and it is critical for radiologists to fill their gaps in knowledge through additional means.